DIY Lithium Battery Pack using 18650 cells

This video shows how to build custom 18v lithium battery pack conversion for a black and decker cordless drill using 18650 lithium ion cells harvested from used laptop batteries. Cell layout, soldering and balance leads how-to will be discussed. It is important to use a low voltage alarm to ensure the battery does not discharge below manufacture specification. Also, use a lithium balance charger, such as iMAX B6, to charge the battery cells.
Here's my video showing in detail how to convert the black and decker drill from nicad to lithium battery pack:
• Lithium Battery Pack C...
Hope you find this video useful. Please comment, rate and subscribe.

[@patriciaannshaver-copeland6877]

*This battery reconditioning program exceeded my presumptions. It worked on any drill battery, several AA and AAA batteries, **batery.repair** and any camera battery. The steps are simple and the act itself is exciting to do. No matter what type of battery you`ve got, it is sure to function again!*

[@DavidJJJ]

Great joins, I love how easy this is to solder using the flux etc... One thing I will mention is it's really important to fully charge all your lithium batteries before doing your connections like this, since they will self-balance once connected in parallel and your will end up potentially killing one or more batteries if they are at the same voltage.

[@Lowegy]

You are correct about keeping batteries at the same voltage before connections. Thanks for the tip David.

[@robviolin1]

That is the best and easiest to understand video on how to wire and understand the connecting of 18650 batteries in series and parallel with balance leads. Thanks for posting and please keep posting for us dummies. 👍

[@jaymiller6918]

Making use of the kzbin.infoUgkxcJ22tnHH9l1vjdIdEIG27iOG55P7LXI8 reconditioning plan, I just saved 2 auto batteries from being completely junked. The guides were very simple to follow. I wish I would have found this years ago! You may use the guide to recondition any battery type

[@Lowegy]

Depends on number of cells the battery pack have in series.. each 18650 cells in series needs 4.2v for charging so a 5 cell pack arranged ib series would need 21v.

[@robviolin1]

This is one of the better videos I have seen on making a battery pack. Thanks and keep posting. 👍

[@alanullmer8369]

Thank you, finally someone gave a detailed directions on how to hook up balance leads.

[@paulreynolds5047]

Thanks for the upload you made it very simple and easy to follow. Some I’ve watched have been a bit confusing at times.

[@SouthSideChiTown]

Thanks, I was on the fence about how to make a battery pack in this video help me figure it out. Nice soldering skills by the way, you tinned them pretty quick without applying too much heat.

[@davidrensi737]

Great info! Easley under stood for novices like my self !

[@chrisprocter7626]

one of the most helpful video's on here about battery builds so thanks for posting

[@jesusmariarodriguezolivarr2477]

thank you very much, learned a lot, was looking for this and here I found it very well explained. I use google translator because I do not speak English

[@tevfiksabuncu4623]

Thanks. Especially graphic schema became very useful for my understanding

[@dv40f]

Thank U for sharing.... very useful, well explained. .. the best videos I've seen DIY making a battery pack without high voltage. ..Thumbs Up !

[@MCsCreations]

Video added to my reference playlist. :) Great job!

[@barrylitchfield250]

Please explain how you charge this new battery pack.

[@OTheKeshO]

Such a big help thank you

[@aladinandyasmin23]

great video. the diagram really helped me. thanks.

[@ricksinger388]

Very inspirational. I think current recs are to insulate the 18750 cells to dissipate heat, especially b/t rows. Why use wires instead of tin strips?

[@Lowegy]

Easier to solder using wires than nickel strips. You’re correct, strips are more ideal

[@Qzainal]

Thank you Sir for this video 👍

[@niagaragusher]

A piece of bike inner Tube would make a nice band. And a piece of tire Would make a great Fender for your Bike!

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

OK.....so where do you hook the balance plug in to ???? a BMS Board ??? which one ???

[@vladimirstimac737]

Very well explained. Thank you!

[@Vigilante82O]

Very Simple Explanation

[@jameshaveron4197]

Enjoyed video, simply explained

[@kennydieu2694]

Good video and thanks for sharing.

[@falahalkafajeyalkafsjey3190]

Thank you very much. That is very good and so enjoy. I hope best wsheis for you and so success

[@airthrow]

Hi there, I found your physical construction of the battery very helpful. I have a project I need to switch over from Lead Acid to 18650's. If I make a battery pack like yours and use a balanced charger, do I just need a fast fuse for extra protection on the voltage output? (not gonna lie, I'm a bit scared of LiOn) I need to make a battery pack that is safe, easy to charge and has around 4 amps and 20+ volts, any help appreciated

[@cutty02]

yes always use a fuse.

[@stanleyarnold6560]

A somewhat fundamental question. What kind of connector is used to plug into the battery tester/balancer?

[@Lowegy]

JST-XH balance wires.

[@stanleyarnold6560]

Super!

[@lungocicorneliu1119]

Nice job, thanks.

[@rhiantaylor3446]

Those 18650 are not suitable for use in a cordless drill which requires high-discharge batteries. They look the same but they are not. Drills will typically draw up to 15 to 20 amps and laptop batteries I have looked up are app specified for a peak of 2x rated capacity so about 4.4 amps for your cells. Apply a heavier load and they will soon get hotter than they can stand. Ill leave you to work out what happens next.. You can minimise the risk by using 5 cells in parallel so 6s5p not 6s1p.

[@cjoakman7715]

I agree. I tried laptop batteries the first time I made a pack and it got very hot, very quick! Turns out the batteries were only 5 amp batteries. I wouldn't use anything under 10 amps, but preferrably 20+. And if you use the 10 amp batteries, be careful and don't run the drill or whatever for very long.

[@slyster12]

Is it true that soldering damages the batteries because of excess heat.People are recommending tack welding.

[@Lowegy]

Tack weld is the best method however a short quick 1 sec soldering work just as well.

[@slyster12]

Thanks!

[@bajacharlie49]

Can you help me figure out how to build a 14parrelle and 7 series battery pack? Send me a wiring diagram how to connect these batteris. Did you connect the batteries positive and negative in series or what? Im a bit confused, please help!!!

[@jeremyhenderson163]

Thanks for sharing. Any help appreciated. Is it better to connect series first, parallel first, or does it matter? Is there any chance (with proper soldering) of the solder breaking connection with the cells? Soldering vs spot welding? Thanks in advance.

[@ansarogu]

great vid pal! one question, why do the batteries not short out once you solder the negative of one to the positive of another?

[@Lowegy]

It's still an open circuit

[@ansarogu]

+Lowegy thanks for replying, but i still dont get it... hahaha. For example if i solder 2 in series, i have to connect the positive to the negative on both ends, right?

[@Lowegy]

+ansarogu just one end of + - else u have a closed circuit. The other + - end connects to a motor and switch.

[@ansarogu]

+Lowegy ok, so i would solder one + end to one - end but the other ends have to be soldered to the +- of what ever it is im gonna power? sorry if i make no sense.

[@sicfree11111]

+ansaroguT5Þ gjderhry49y37hvvcw [vvah3. bonbon hundreds

[@Frisky0563]

if you tinned the wires it would be easier plus maybe some tape too so you can feed solder while heating with iron nice work

[@olive2255]

Thanks for this helping video so enlighten and fast, but my issue is setting 200 cells to get 12v for my inverter please I really need your help because this video is all about 18v

[@MrHassancehef]

really great video! I was thinking about using my 18v li ion drill charger (no brand), to charge my new battery pack, using alligator clips on + and -, label indicate output 21,5v 360ma, what is your opinion about that system? Thanks

[@sensoyguven]

the batteries you have used are 4.2 v, i had the same problem but you can use resistor which i havent tried yet..

[@560tomas]

Hi, thank you for video. What is this balance cable called? i bought some from ebay for 4 cell battery and it does not fit to my imax b6 charger. it is smaller than it should be.. thank you

[@Lowegy]

They are call JST XH balance wires. Some eBay sellers are selling smaller balance wires that won't fit hobbie chargers. Here's one that will work with your hobbie charger: m.ebay.com/itm/10-PCS-4S1P-Balance-Charger-Silicon-Cable-Wire-JST-XH-Connector-Adapter-Plug-/321795782410?txnId=1651097049011

[@560tomas]

thank you very much :)

[@donsong9958]

That's was very helpful, I wanted to build 36v 13ams battery pack, please can you help me with a diagram and I m using 18650

[@CroatoanHR]

I've noticed your batteries have different capacity. Can balancer (ie. Imax B6) equalize them when connected as a pack?

[@Lowegy]

No, It will only balance the voltage during the charge and not capaicty. It is the reason why you want to use similar capacity cells for making a battery pack.

[@CroatoanHR]

+Lowegy thanks

[@HealthSupercharger]

to connect lithium cells in series do they have to be protected or unprotected cells? What is a flux? Why do we need the balance leads?

[@Lowegy]

Most of the 18650 cells being used in battery packs are unprotected cells. Balance leads ensures each cell is charged properly without overcharging. You will need a lithium hobby charger to do so. Flux helps the solder bond (burn) the wires and metal together better.

[@georgeemanson]

Great video..… but I am looking for a "Lithium Cell Charger Module (BMS) with Battery Protection board/low voltage alarm" that would output a 18V (5S) system..... any thoughts????

[@timidater4803]

how many watts is your soldering iron?

[@Lowegy]

It's either a 45 or 60 watts. Radio shake el Cheapo special for $10-15

[@timidater4803]

thanks!!! nice video!

[@hoang916]

hey i was just wondering if the battery balance is required and if i can use a factory Dewalt DC9310 (Charges all DEWALT 7.2-volt - 18-volt NiCd/NiMH (except Univolt batteries)) to charge the battery

[@Lowegy]

No, you cannot. You need a lithium charger to charge lithium batteries. eBay seeks IMAX B6 balance charger for around $25-30.

[@Lowegy]

Most importantly, lithium balance charger prevents overcharging which may cause cells to explode and catch on fire.

[@hoang916]

But what if that model is a Lithium-IOn Charger...

[@Lowegy]

+hoang916 it still won't work unless you wired the batteries to the original lithium battery pack BMS/PCM. The BMS balances and protects each cell from overcharging and discharging. Hence the batter pack I built requires lithium balance charger to safely charge.

[@hoang916]

Ok thanks awesome video... I did some research and the factory battery pack comes with its own BMS balancer in them.. So I just bought some from eBay that has dead cells and try to replace those cell since I got 2 dead batteries for $20

[@martinthibodeau6755]

Hello, I have a question, I need to buy 3 other 18650 cells, and i'm sticking between this two model, the LG HG2 for 3000 mAh at 20A and the LG HE2 2500 mAh at 35a, which is the better ? This is for a ZMR 250 with 2204 motor. Thanks.

[@lowegylowegy5312]

if it's 3P or less, then I would go with the HE2. They are highly rated cells.

[@mariolanz4187]

@lowegy what type of solder do you use and what amperage of soldering iron..mine won't stick.

[@joshuahuang07]

Mario Lanz SAME like i look all over the internet and i cant find an answer

[@Lowegy]

Mario Lanz you need to use flux to make the solder stick

[@bingbonk]

I want to make a 12.6 volt or so motorcycle battery from 18650 cells. I bought new, obsolete, 9-cell Dell laptop packs. How should I wire the batteries to make a 12-volt motorcycle battery?

[@lazar2175]

bingbonk Oh well,that isnt smartest thing,you will need shit ton of electronics to actually use it.

[@Lee-bv2hw]

Any thoughts on what battery to use on a winchrite . It has a 12 pack of 3.7 ions. 21.6 volt. The current battery pack is labeled LR1865BE. From China. Any thoughts?

[@marco.aurelio]

Hi! Comrade, what kind of paste is used before welding? By the way, is it paste?

[@pardontillinghast4989]

It's flux. It helps the molten solder to flow.

[@RalfdaLau]

Comrade? Wtf?

[@Aamir-Rashid]

what is the voltage of balance lead I mean how volts are going through the balance lead please can u explain how to charge series cell ???

[@cutty02]

you charge at the 18v the balance leads use less than 500ma.

[@Pushyhog]

I do composites, after watching this even think i could build this. Thanks! Sub & hit the bell. Keep dummies in mind like me for the wires..

[@dvfreelancer]

It would be great if you could hear the audio and show both sides of the battery pack to compare.

[@koulee4]

Let me ask you something.. O am wondering where this balancer go... I mean i want to make a similar battery pack. 5s 18vlt(18650),and i want to add another 5 batteries in series, and paraller to the first 1p...how i connect balancer to the bms?

[@matthewgraton2401]

How much mah does this produce I'm trying to make my own ni cd aa 6volt battery pack to replace the defective ones for my solar lights

[@francmenhart1099]

What about bms- haven,t you conected.

[@hbgunasekera]

Hi , i have a question , i have 6 batteries which connected with a 6s BMS . I just want to know can i use 18v power supply to charge those batteries ? if can , how it should be ?

[@Lowegy]

Hasitha Buddika no, you will need a 25.2v charger rated for that BMS

[@samtiny6332]

sir , u made a bomb . what about protection ??? what about over discharge and over charge ???

[@Lowegy]

No BMS/PCM is needed if you use a lithium balance charger (ex IMAX B6).

[@samtiny6332]

okay may be i missed it on ur video or u didnt mention . sorry

[@CroatoanHR]

Is that so if you use 18650's with protection or can I use my flat top batteries without protection circuit built in? I got Imax B6.

[@samtiny6332]

No u cant use without protection

[@thepoderosotiburon]

Hi Dear Friend, Could you help explain me How to make the same work, but with a 9.6v battery please? Thank you for your great help

[@irctcpawan]

Is there any bms circuit for 5 battery pack 18 volt please advise

[@Lowegy]

Yes, search for 5s bms

[@y2leon]

Pawan Kumar 5s BMS on AliExpress

[@aleemm.n]

Can i use my laptop charger (19.5v 5amp) to charge this pack

[@Lowegy]

No, I don't recommend it

[@aleemm.n]

Thanks

[@manumus11]

Im new at this and would like to know .. if anyone can help .. if this is a 5s 1p .. i saw that u said it was a 1p but how do u calculate how many in series .is it a 4s or a 5s .. THNX

[@Lowegy]

manumus11 it's 5s (5 in series)

[@manumus11]

@@Lowegy thx

[@steve24822]

Sorder?

[@BenMiklozek]

What flux are you using. I really don't want to buy a spot welder for my 10s4p build and flux will minimize contact time.

[@Lowegy]

Oatey no.5 solder paste flux www.amazon.com/Oatea-Oatey-53017-Paste-Flux/dp/B000UTSSQO

[@BenMiklozek]

Awesome thanks!

[@Thebigdaddyluis]

I have 4 18650 parallels how do I charge them?

[@Lowegy]

You have to use a hobby balance charge like the imax B6 to charge them.

[@ericc1654]

How do you charge the battery?

[@793Junaid]

Good video. My original laptop battery is dead and have these cell specs = ICR 18650 Samsung 30B. So when I replace the dead cells, can I only use the same Samsung 18650 30B cells or they can be any other type e.g. 28 or 32f etc..? Thanks

[@DerekP2050]

Yes, most likely it'll work, but sometimes the internal controller is dead, or purposefully made the batteries look dead...planned obsolescence...you know...check each cell individually, then replace the one that died...

[@793Junaid]

DP2050 Thank you sir. I will. Keep posting up useful videos

[@793Junaid]

I have checked all my cells and found two of them are dead. All my cells (including two new) are showing ~4 Volts. It is wise to assemble them for my laptop battery I mean will they work? Thanks

[@AndyChristianLoyola]

Nice 5s build

[@thanhtoba1464]

can you show how you charge your cells

[@Lowegy]

I use a iMAX B6 hobby charger to charge the battery pack.

[@rtoebak76]

Tried soldering spotwelding strips. But that just will not work. Drilled little holes in the strip for the solder to flow. Does not work and is dangerous. The wires are the safest solution. Thats how i made my pack. With little wires and patience. Hot glued them together and if i want to i can remove them and heatshrink with new tubing for 18650.

[@Lowegy]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Strips are nicer and lower profile but I found the heavy gauge wire is the simplest solution.

[@agumonkey]

why glue and solder ? instead of some casing and pressure wires ?

[@Lowegy]

better contact over the long haul. Also custom size pack.

[@mrbricolage803]

Hi brother, I need to know how I can charge and what charger can I use? I can't use the original charger thanks for everything and regards

[@Friend98980]

Power bank module

[@mehmetkazak1974]

By experience i gotta say that you shouldnt use too much flux or solder paste if your solder wire is already including flux then it is enough for soldering it to the battery if you use too much flux then it wont be soldered properly and the wire will get rid of the solder point

[@ptmoy1]

When I tried to glue the cells together with hot glue as you did, the glue just peeled off the cells. Do you have to use special glue for this? Is your glue gun low temp or high temp?

[@Lowegy]

ptmoy1 just a normal cheap hobbie glue gun and stick. Try cleaning the surface of the cells with a rag and some alcohol. The hot glue should stick to the cells pretty good

[@JacobALewis]

Howwww To Start A Battery Business At Homeeee >>> t.co/mK3KjJd0lr?THtwSq1jRmsad

[@joshuahuang07]

is the flux necessary because when i solder on my battery it just falls off

[@Lowegy]

Joshua Huang yes it is

[@fenderstratguy]

It is surprising how important using flux is. You can waste all day if you don't have some on there.

[@riyariyazen]

Balancing plot should need for charging this battery.without balancing wire it cannot be?

[@neutronpcxt372]

Usually, if these are the same batteries from the same battery pack, like in this video, it should be fine not using a battery charger. However, with multiple different packs, unless you really know what you are doing, I would recommend a BMS, or even better, a balanced charger.

[@rachidziadi5050]

plz where can I buy BMS protection? 2s or 3s ? what different?

[@MrTrackmaniafan]

ebay, banggood... 2s = you have 2 batterys in series, 3s = you have 3 batterys in series (sorry for bad english)

[@ShenZhenDigiCasting]

You can buy all the accessories you need for the battery here. linksunhk.en.made-in-china.com/

[@anthonymarino4260]

now i understand thanks

[@user-sj4qc6mw2c]

Good job bro

[@peterowens290]

We are told that LI-ion batteries are very heat sensitive. I had therefore assumed that soldering at the terminals would damage the cells. I do this regularly on dry cells without problems but LI-ion are expensive so you need to be sure. How much practical experience do you have to be confident with the method you use?

[@chachavessel]

Soldering Li-ions cells is foolish and risky. Some get away with it. New generation cells are less volatile, but it;s still a risky to apply heat from a soldering iron.

[@cutty02]

why is it risky? the only thing the heat will do is possibly ruin a small percentage of the capacity. Also Ive seen sony datasheets that say if soldered only apply heat for 1 second. This guys technique is spot on.

[@DarkReaperStyleDj]

How many AH ?

[@cutty02]

looks like ~2.5ah @ 18v

[@sasamarjanovic1837]

Hello, If 1 piece 18650 give me 5A , in series (2pieces 18650) give me 10A . Is it true or is same 5A?

[@stormshadow_6477]

When connected in series it will still give 5 Amps but twice the voltage. When connected in parallel however, you will get 10 Amps. Cheers

[@sasamarjanovic1837]

Ok, my mistake, I thinking parallel , but I'm not safe about Li Ion batteries. (I planed 4 or 5 in parallel for my screwdriver)

[@nelchan2421]

Please don't remove the old nickel strip if you don't have spot welding.

[@jennylabora2564]

This setting can be pararel with other 5S battery so 5S 2P

[@MarshallSmith27]

whats a 21v battery pack for?

[@webdev217]

It's in the description (:

[@marciaz31]

DRILL >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[@mohdidris3164]

Tg u for sharing..!

[@eleanoreperry1231]

*interesting points ,if anyone else trying to find out how to recondition used car batteries try Panlarko Recondition Planner ( **lovy.biz/zrsy** ) ? Ive heard some super things about it and my m8 got great results with it.*

[@govand799]

how to charge

[@Lowegy]

I use imax b6 balance charger

[@olddognewtricks4804]

Thanks!

[@javieruriel]

thanks!!

[@siliv653]

I like the way

[@robopwner]

Don't solder directly on the cells!

[@wilfriedmorel5231]

hello would you build me a battery pack with a charger for money?

[@Sir-Kay]

Some idiot here on KZbin said we shouldn't use soldering iron, that the heat can heat up the battery and make it explode, I'm like, are you serious? if that 2 seconds contact time is going to make a battery explode then, you definitely can't bring those batteries any where near Nigerian heat, batteries will be popping all over the place, gtfoh.

[@harasti]

Don be ignorant dumbass. I don't know whether it's better to be someone who tries to make something in life, or a mutant who makes important comments to no one.

[@Sir-Kay]

@@harasti I would be glad if you could tell me that to my face tough boy.

[@manuelardeleanu1488]

Mersi Black Deckăr.

[@tomil2002]

laptop too 2p connection . Thank you

[@mrbricolage803]

Привет, брат, мне нужно знать, как я могу заряжать и какое зарядное устройство я могу использовать? Я не могу использовать оригинальное зарядное устройство, спасибо за все и привет

[@robertnoble3733]

NEVER EVER SOLDER DIRECTLY TO A LITHIUM ION CELL!! DOING SO COULD LEAD TO FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION! (just sayin'..) Instead, purchase cells with tabs (for soldering) pre-attached. These are available from Tenergy and other reputable battery suppliers.

[@PINKFL0YD-s2h]

HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO VENT, WRAPPED UP WITH TAPE THAT'S BASICALLY A PIPE BOMB

[@komol50]

ดูวิดีโอวัช

[@evgenmozolevski281]

Try some new solutions from Avasva solutions.

[@jacquespienaar3793]

Listen guys, it doesn't matter how you connect the batteries, all you must remember is the series connection you doubling the voltage but the amps stay the same, in parallel your voltage stays the same as well as the amps, the only thing is that your amps are more stable and takes longer to run down when connected in parallel. you can NEVER double up on amps doesn't matter how you connect it because that's the current draw when in a circuit.

[@chachavessel]

NO . You are wrong...Let's Use OHMS Law please! This is basic electronics. In series the voltage doubles and current remains the same as each cell.. .. .(we are assuming we are using identical cells..matched) In Parallel, the voltage remains the same as each cell, and the current doubles, triplled, etc as you add more cells (we are assuming we are using identical cells..matched) 2 cells rated at 2000mAh each in parallel are 4000Mah 3 cells would be 6000mAh. etc...

[@jacquespienaar3793]

Tell me one thing, if you have 2 batteries in parallel and a balancing charger over them how does you charger determine which one of the 2 is faulty???

[@jacquespienaar3793]

I think you are getting confused between draw current and supply current. Draw current is double when in parallel but supply current does't.

[@chachavessel]

WHAT!!?? LOL.... It doesn't it., it can't...and it's irrelevant to the point you were trying to make originally... PLEASE study and read more on this subject. I will not respond any further, you can leave your responses here and let everyone know how little you know about this whole subject. the way you refer to "amps" and use the word "stable" proves you have no idea what you are talking about

[@chachavessel]

Current flow (in Amps) depends on the circuit demands, (or resistance) regardless of it being in series or parallel. PLEASE STUDY BASIC OHMS LAW.